“Planting Giant Sequoia Seedlings – A Rare Opportunity “

How many people have had the peak experience of planting one year-old Giant Sequoia seedlings BACK into the mother grove from which the seeds were collected? Outside the mostly inappropriate locations one finds Giant sequoias, there are only a handful of those who plant like we do at WildPlaces. Do you want to be part of the “one percent” who plant these trees and essentially plan for the future - 3,000 years?

Giant Sequoias are one of the largest living creatures on the planet. They exist naturally in a very finite elevation band along the west slope of the Sierra with 75 plus groves being in the Tulare County. Studies confirm that Sequoias mitigate climate change by holding carbon for 3,000 years and more, reducing the rate and intensity of climate impacts, most notably for Tulare County in the on-going drought. Of course, many other benefits flourish as the groves flourish - habitat for wildlife, prevention of catastrophic fires, and the expansion of our spirits’ imagination.

WildPlaces offers this opportunity again this year through a partnership with Otis College. WildPlaces will plant the seedlings in the spring at the southern Sierra at Trail of 100 Giants in the Giant Sequoia National Monument from where they came and will care for the seedlings for two summers.

It seems that WildPlaces and Otis College have crossed paths by way of the very unique and perfect intersectionality discovered between Sheldon Forbes (Otis) and Mehmet Mc Millan (WildPlaces), and now a great thing is happening for climate, for 10 generations down, awareness/advocacy, and for volunteers who join the parade…click here to see last year’s success!

Otis Community has germinated and grown 100 Giant Sequoia seedlings from seeds from the Giant Sequoia National Monument and will now hand these trees over to WildPlaces for planting at the Trail of 100 Giants. The seedlings have been raised on campus for a full year.

“Just short of miracle,” says McMillan of WildPlaces, “The truth of the importance of this umbrella species is shown in the hearts and hands of the volunteers involved in their care. “

Bouncing off WildPlaces experience at planting sequoias and mobilizing the messes, the 100 Giants Project deeps the program.

"Planting Sequoiadendron giganteum back in 2010-12 was a life changing experience”, says Ian Herdell, past Program Coordinator for WildPlaces. “It was awesome. But why have so few folks, who practically live in the shadow of these giants, are not better utilizing their power as a tool for self-care?”

“The preservation and education about our Giant Sequoia heritage is everyone's gift from nature as well as the responsibility we all share”, says Mehmet McMillan, founder of WildPlaces. “As a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization, WildPlaces holds the stewardship of land and water at center of it mission. These Giant sequoia plantings certainly speak to this.”

Space is very limited. To sign-up, send an email to info@wildplaces.net and tell why you think you should be invited to the events. Youth groups and those bringing youth get priority as do those donating to Sponsor-a-Sequoia, which ensures that youth have transportation, guidance from field leaders, safety, and lunch. Donations are tax deductible and will guarantee your spot at the planting.

Occidental College of Art and Design will be hosting a presentation/Q&A by WildPlaces on the subject of the 100 Giants Project and the partnership possibilities between Otis students and WildPlaces.

Otis College of Art and Design is celebrating 100 years by hosting a 100% Festival on November 10 and 11, 2018, a dedication to creativity and the 100% commitment artists and designers give to their passion. WildPlaces' Mehmet McMillan will present on Day 2 (November 11th) at 3:30 pm at the Forum- Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310) 665-6800.

Thank you, volunteer Sheldon Forbes, for one year of painstaking detail and endless love needed to have collected seeds, propagated them to seedlings, raising them, AND finding WildPlaces to do the planting.

“The preservation and education about our Giant Sequoia heritage is everyone’s gift from Nature as well as the responsibility we all share”, says Mehmet McMillan, founder of WildPlaces. “As a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization, WildPlaces holds the stewardship of land and water at center of it mission. These Giant sequoia plantings certainly speak to this.”

How you can help:

Is the sanctity of our wild places worth fighting for? Do you believe that nature is sacred and should be preserved for your children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children? Are you concerned about the future of land, water, air, and youth?

Yes? Then WildPlaces is your platform for change. With your support, we continue doing amazing work. So be something: Volunteer, Intern, Staff, Sequoia Roots Corp, Community Service Hours, Donor donate

Spread the word to friends and family!

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